This blog shares my sentiment in part about Ed Schultz changeover to week-ends.

[madfloridian]

Last edited Sun Mar 17, 2013, 11:30 PM - Edit history (1)

It's just an opinion of course in my case. But right now the way the major media is sounding is way way too reminiscent of the days leading up to the Iraq invasion. Only one side of the arguments are presented, and it is not the side of the 99%.

Schultz had good ratings, he was one of the ones many discouraged people watched. His support of unions was invaluable.

From the Between the Lines blog:

Downgrading Ed Schultz

I’m skeptical because of the timing of the change, which will see Chris Hayes take over the coveted 8 p.m weeknight slot, and be pitted against Bill O’Reilly of FOX and Anderson Cooper of CNN. Schultz had been getting increasingly agitated over the possibility of President Obama and the Democrats caving in to the GOP to allow cuts in social safety net programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, as part of a “grand bargain” for reducing the deficit.

One week before the change was announced, Schultz said he had always supported Obama, but now was wavering. One night before he announced his change, Schultz said "President Obama may really be the president who starts the undooing of the New Deal."

Ouch. That line had to go over very badly with the White House and senior Democrats. It’s quite possible that the White House called to complain, and put pressure on the pro-Democratic network to push Schultz aside.

I very much agree with this paragraph.

The sidelining of Ed Schultz couldn’t come at a worse time. Progressives are fighting a bitter struggle against Republicans, big business interests and now Obama, to hold the social compact together. To win the battle, they need as many strong voices in the media as they can get.

I remember sadly how all we had just before the war was the struggling network Air America and the Phil Donahue show. He was escalating his criticism of the invasion of Iraq, and poof....he was gone though he had high ratings.

I know the feeling of feeling strongly about something and realizing that your voice is just a teeny tiny one. I feel that way about the the destructive reforms being loosed on public education. The media never tells the truth about it, they owe too much to the billionaire reformers.

We are experiencing something in this country I never expected to happen. We have both parties and their leaders playing games with our safety nets and with our public schools. It is shocking.

A P. S. on edit:

I did not think I needed to say that I don't agree with the blogger on President Obama's possible involvement. I did not think I needed to say that. However I do believe there is more to the story.

Many people are upset with Democrats putting the safety net on the table for discussion with extremists....I am. If you are not, you should be.

[Chipper Chat]

1. Ed was "olbermanned"

Nuf said.

[rustydog]

2. YES! I see it now! A mega million dollar corporation will

Move Big Ed and shove a young kid in his place because Big Ed spoke his mind against Obama!

Makes sense now. Of course you obviously have not seen Chris's show and post this out of ignorance. It is fantastic and formatted to kick the butt of Fox and fiends.
If Ed's ratings are slipping, or if his shows format is more fitting for Chris's timeslot, the corporation will make the money-making change. Period. Maybe Big Ed requested a change due to his wife's medical challenges? Maybe not. But either way, NBC makes show changes based on income potential. period.

[madfloridian]

3. "But either way, NBC makes show changes based on income potential. period."

I disagree.

Those who stay on TV pretty much toe a line.

[madfloridian]

7. Just FYI I do not believe Obama had a hand in it.

That part I do not agree with. However I do not take it at face value. I do believe some political stuff may have been involved.

It's happened before, will happen again.

I think Chris Hayes is great, and I do wish you wouldn't talk to me as though I am ignorant.

We are facing some serious times in this country, and the political leaders in both parties are doing things that will make it all worse not better.

[forestpath]

4. K&R It shares mine too.

[madrchsod]

5. i listen to ed everyday on the radio

he`s far better on his radio program than on tv. the radio show is much better than the tv because ed is a natural radio guy.

[limpyhobbler]

6. Any idea what MSNBC's official reason was for this move?

[tularetom]

8. I thought the "official" line was, "Ed wanted to spend more time with his family"

That explanation was offered by Ed himself and was not denied by NBC as far as I know.

We all know his wife, who has played a major role in his broadcasting career, was seriously ill with cancer, and is still in the process of recovering. So it's no stretch to believe the "spend more time with his family" story, as trite as it sounds.

For those who buy into the conspiracy theory that Obama intervened to get Ed canned, my only question is, why has he not intervened with CNN to get Wolf Blitzer fired or with Fox to more or less fire their entire staff? All of those people have been a lot more negative about him than Ed Schultz.

[AnnieBW]

9. I tend to believe this

Folks, I can't fault Ed for wanting to cut back on his work to help his ill wife. Probably no conspiracy about this - it's a family matter. If Ed was reall "Olbermanned", he wouldn't be moved to the weekend slot. He'd be GONE like the wind.

Let's respect his decision, and respect MSNBC for allowing him to be flexible like this.

[madfloridian]

10. Opinions are NOT conspiracy theories.